Method of applying trade marks directly to bulk materials



Feb 23, 1932. J E. HIBLINE 1,846,518

METHOD OF APPLYING TRADE MARKS DIRECTLY TO BULK MATERIALS Filed July 22,1929 Patented Feb. 23,1932

PATENT OFFICE JOHN EDWARD HIBLINE, OF BAL'I'DIOBE, MARYLAND I METHOD OFAPPLYING TRADE MARKS DIRECTLY TO BULK MATEIALS Application filed July22,

My invention relates to a novel method of applying trade ordistinguishing marks to solid materials in bulk form.

It is a well-known fact that manufacturers,

miners, and others, in addition to distributors and dealers, in variouslines of business wherein the product they handle is a solid which isshipped and delivered in bulk, have i had no adequate means at theircommand by which theyhave been able to successfully and commerciallyapply distinguishing marks to their product, in such manner that thosereceiving or consuming the same, although the latter may have passedthrough several hands, can readily identify the product and thereby 'beassured that they are receiving the particular brand of product whichthey had ordered.

This is especially true with materials, such for example as coal, cokeor crushed stone or other products in a lump form or in a form havingsmall shapes which are usually shipped in bulk.

The object therefore of my invention is to provide a practicable Way ofidentifying a lump or shapes of a product in bulk so that practicallyevery lump or shape of the bulkproduct itself will carry the identifyingmeans to such extent that the same can be readily identified, ifdesired, as it passes all the way from the hands of the producer throughvarious middle-men to the consumer, and each handler thus be ensured ofthe genuineness of the product.

Obviously, ores, crushed stone, coals or cokes, for example, fromcertain localities may be better adapted for certain uses than somewhatsimilar products identified by the same general descriptive names thatare pro- 40 curable in other localities, but those products, afterpassing from the producers through several hands cannot be identifiedwith any certainty, except by actual analysis, which is expensive, andin many cases impracticable.

1929. Serial No. 380,157.

If a coal consumer, for example, desires a coal that is procurab-lein'a. particular geographical district, that consumer has no means athis command that will satisfy him beyond question, when that coal isdelivered, 5 that the particular coal he ordered has been actuallydelivered to him.

This invention is therefore directed to a novel method of applyingdistinguishing marks to a lumpy or shaped material in bulk, which markswill remain throughout the bulk and practically on every lump or shapeuntil the latter reaches the consumer and is consumed.

By means therefore of my invention, I pro- 5 vide a means of applying adistinguishing mark to coal, or other lumpyproduct in bulk, which willenable the consumer to identify the product by marks, which the productwill carry from the time it leaves the producer, and thus guarantee tothe consumer, just as certainly as a label on a bottle or package woulddo, that the product is all it is presumed to be.

Unscrupulous coal dealers, for example, have been said to have mixedwith coal from one mine, an inferior grade of coal, and then deliverthemixed grades of coal to a consumer as one and the same grade throughout.

By means of my invention, I propose to so 7 thoroughly apply thedistinguishing trade mark devices throughout the bulk that each lump orshape of the bulk will carry the distinguishi'ng marks, and thus preventthe admixture of another grade of material with the bulk because thelatter would lack the identification marks to such an extent as to bereadily discerned.

The novel method is diagrammatically illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings wherein,

Fig. 1 shows a wheeled vehicle from which the product is dumped andspread out as it passes to a transportation vehicle, in this instance arailroad car, and also shows a means finally foun for preparing theproduct and applying thereto the identifying markings.

Fig. 2 illustrates a lump or shape of a material removed from theproduct with identifying markings thereon, and

Fig. 3 shows two views of one form of device utilized as a marker.

I have conceived the idea that, regardless of the nature of the solidproduct, by mixing with that product, at its source of supply, lightsolid substances which differ in character from the product itself,either in color or physical form or shape, but which will not act tochange the product itself, that such mixed-in and added substance, maybe so thoroughly distributed through and attached to lumps and shapes ofthe product, that it may be seen at a glance, and thereby perform allthe functions and have the same effect as a glaring label containing thetrade name of a trade-mark roprietor.

In carrying out my invention I have found, in the case of bothbituminous and anthracite coal; and it is equal'l applicable to numerousother roducts o a solid character, that by utilizlng, for example,punchings from paper, and particular when those punchings are thoroughlydistributed throughout the bulk as when the latter is spread orseparated and being loaded onto cars, that the marking will show withglaring effect, and will carry with the bulk, regardless of numeroushandlings until it is used by the consumer.

The markings of contrasting materials must however be so applied, and sothorough-- ly distributed throughout the bulk, as to become attached tothe particles thereof and remain therewith until the product isconsumed.

After man unsuccessful attempts, I have a way to successfully utilizepaper punchin gs in carrying out my invention and have been able to meetthe greatest dif ficulty, to wit, of thoroughly intermixing thepunchings throughout the bulk and causing the same to become attached tothe lumps and shapes of that bulk so each lump or shape in the bulk willbe marked and remain so, although shipped in carriers and exposed to theweather while under transportation and even unloaded and loaded againuntil the bulk is finally delivered to the consumer.

In carrying out my novel method, for ex ample in the marking of coal inbulk, I proceed as follows:

At the mine, the coal is usually first placed in small cars 5. and thelatter moved along an elevated structure 6 to a point preferably abovean inclined screen, or a chute 7. onto which the load of coal is usuallydumped from the end of the car.

During this d ping operation, the load of coal spreads out and separatesas it moves by gravity down the screen or chute, and while in thisspread-out condition, I spray the ea ers coal or other substance with afiuid, directed from a suitable device it.

The precise nature of this fluid is not essential, as I may employ asubstance of deliquescent material which is capable of attract =1 in gmoisture from the atmosphere and becoming liquid, or a pasty or adhesivesubstance or I may merely moisten the spread out coal with water.

Having sprayed or moistened the coal, or other substance, while the sameis spread-out and thereby moistened all the particles, lumps or shapesof the bulk of the solid material, I then scatter or broadcast theidentification markings over the spread-out and moistened surfaces ofthe bulk.

I have found in practice after many experiments that in the use of paperpunchings, I can best effect a thorough intermingling of the same withthe moistened surfaces of the spread-out bulk by utilizing a spray-gun 8which in practice may have the form of any one of a number of sprayingmachines, such as are employed in the art of paintspraying, with theexception that instead of atomizing I utilize a modified form of nozzle9 through which the paper punchings 10, may pass without clogging.

Also in practice, I preferably utilize a receptacle 11 to contain thepunchings, and a pipe 12, extends from the sprayer into said receptacleand draws the punchings from the later and said punchings are thenejected at the nozzle 9, with some force and directed over and againstthe spread-out moistened surfaces of the moving mass as the latter fallsby gravity toward the transportaion vehicle 13, into which it is beingloaded.

I have also found in practice, and after many experiments, that thequantity of paper punchings necessary to effect an immediateidentification of the product when it has finally reached the hands ofthe consumer, may be greatly reduced if those punchings have first beencoated on both of its faces with an adhesive substance so that when thepunchings are directed by force against the moist surfaces of the lumpsor shapes of the bulk, they will immediately adhere and become affixedand remain attached through the several shipments and handlingsnecessary for delivery of the product to the consumer.

In this way, I thoroughly impregnate the product with the distinguishingmarkings and those markings are caused to adhere to the particles of themass forming the bulk and become attached thereto in such quantity thatalthough subjected to several handlings before reaching the consumer,the markings will be seen throughout the bulk and ready identificationthus be made by anyone.

Having described my invention, I claim,-

The method of applying trade or distinguishing marks to solids in bulkform and while the latter are in a broken-up lumpy I i the moistsurfaces of the bulk particles and become adhered thereto.

In testimon whereof I aflix 111 Si ature.

JO N EDWARD H B INE.

roughout the

